Gifts of Love serves families who are facing a short-term crisis in their lives; the loss of a job, reduced work hours, illness, divorce, death of a mate, and domestic abuse but do not qualify for government support. By helping people meet their families most basic needs - food on the table, a winter coat, or a bed to sleep in - we enable them to focus on putting their lives back in order and regaining their financial independence.
This basic mission has become increasingly difficult with the recent welfare reform program, sluggish economy and the rapid rise in the cost of basic needs such as home heating oil and gas prices.
Many people have no other resources except Gifts of Love to help provide for their children.
While the United States has enjoyed unprecedented affluence, low-wage employees have been testing the American doctrine that hard work cures poverty.
-David K. Shipler,The Working Poor